Ladder cleaning device and methods

Abstract

Devices are methods are disclosed for a ladder cleaning device. The ladder cleaning device comprises a number of rings. The rings are adapted to be arranged around rungs of a ladder. A cord passes through a hole in each of said rings. The device further comprises at least one attachment device adapted for attaching said cord to the ladder. The ladder cleaning device may be in the form of a kit of parts to allow retrofitting on the ladder.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A ladder cleaning device comprising
 a plurality of polygonal rings, wherein each of the plurality of rings has a respective central opening and is configured to be assembled around a respective rung of a ladder, wherein each respective central opening is configured so that inner surfaces of the polygonal ring can lie flush with the respective rung of a ladder; 
 a cord, the cord being threaded through the respective central openings of each of said plurality of rings; and 
 at least one attachment device that is fitted on the cord and is configured to attach said cord to the ladder. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment device is adapted to attach the cord to a stringer of the ladder. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment device is adapted to attach the cord to a rung of the ladder. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , comprising two attachment devices arranged at respective ends of the cord, wherein the two attachment devices are separated a predetermined number of rungs apart from each other. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment device is attached closer to a first stringer of the ladder, and wherein the cord is threaded through the rings such that the cord is closer to the first stringer at a bottom of the ring and further away from the first stringer at a top of the ring. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cord is sufficiently long to allow each of the plurality of rings to move horizontally along their respective rungs. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a profile of the opening is configured to correspond to a cross-sectional shape of the rung. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a scraper blade is disposed in the opening for engaging the rung. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of rigid elongated protrusions are disposed in the opening for engaging the rung. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rings is snap-fit together. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rings comprises at least two segments, configured to be assembled around a rung to form each ring. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the at least two segments comprise mutually adapted engaging members to allow tool-less assembly. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rings has a lower density than sea water. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of rings has at least one internal buoyancy chamber. 
     
     
       15. A ladder cleaning device comprising
 a plurality of polygonal snap-fit rings, wherein each of the plurality of snap-fit rings has a respective central opening and is configured to be arranged around a rung of a ladder, wherein each respective central opening is configured so that inner surfaces of the polygonal ring can lie flush with the rung of a ladder; and 
 a cord, the cord being threaded through the respective openings of each of said plurality of snap-fit rings, thereby transferring movement of one of the plurality of snap-fit rings to other of the plurality of snap-fit rings. 
 
     
     
       16. The ladder cleaning device of  claim 15 , further comprising a scraper blade disposed in the opening. 
     
     
       17. The ladder cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein at least one attachment device is attached close to a first stringer of the ladder, and wherein the cord is threaded through the plurality of snap-fit rings such that the cord is closer to the first stringer at a bottom of each ring and further away from the first stringer at a top of each ring. 
     
     
       18. A system comprising:
 a ladder; and 
 a ladder cleaning device comprising:
 a plurality of rings, wherein each of the plurality of rings has an opening configured to be arranged around a rung of a ladder; 
 a cord passing through the opening of each of said rings; and 
 at least one attachment device adapted for attaching said cord to the ladder, wherein at least one of the plurality of rings is arranged around a rung of the ladder. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of rings has at least one internal buoyancy chamber. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of rings snap-fits together.